S. L. Feldbauer, Abbott Furnace Company, St. Marys, PA
The use of continuous style, controlled atmosphere brazing furnaces to braze stainless steels is becoming more common as the aerospace and automotive producers increase the use of stainless steel components on existing designs and explore new designs. Although much of the metallurgy and thermodynamics of Iron, Chrome, Nickel and their compounds are well understood. A review of the application of the fundamentals to the current practices and equipment technology can help with improved product quality, expanded applications, and the optimization of costs for a net improvement in competitiveness.
The push for better performance from brazed components and a more competitive global economy have forced producers to revisit the material grades and optimize the processes that they use. Although much of the thermodynamics and metallurgy of stainless steel is well understood, only by applying this information properly can current stainless steel brazing processes be improved and optimized.
